As exam time approaches, many students start thinking about how to make the most of every minute—reviewing their courses, catching up on what they missed during the year, and maximizing academic achievement to absorb as much information as possible. This is known as the art of time management during serious study periods, which means organizing and allocating time effectively in order to complete the greatest number of tasks and responsibilities efficiently.
In this context, Sayidaty met with Nesreen Hamdy Al-Din, a human development consultant and self-development skills specialist, to explain how you can organize your time in the best possible way during exams.
Questions That Help You Understand Your Time Management Style
As exams approach, feelings of anxiety, stress, fear, and anticipation often take over. You may feel that your subjects have piled up, or that time will not be enough to finish all the studying and revision you need—especially if you weren’t consistent throughout the year.
Nesreen explains that even students who studied regularly and avoided procrastination often struggle with the fear of not accomplishing enough before time runs out. This can lead to unnecessary psychological pressure and negative energy. At this point, it’s important to pause and ask yourself:
Have you ever identified your peak productivity times during the day?
When do you feel most focused?
Which subjects have you studied well, and which only moderately?
Are there subjects you didn’t give enough attention to from the start?
What activities increase your productivity, boost your energy, and put you in a positive mindset?
These simple questions help you understand your study habits, evaluate your progress, and manage your time more effectively. They also help you take advantage of your most energetic hours to complete demanding tasks and regain motivation to continue studying.
Common Study Mistakes Students Make
According to Nesreen, many students make mistakes during the academic year that only show their negative impact during exam season, such as:
Intensive cramming and trying to learn everything at the last minute, which increases stress and weakens memory retention.
Passive learning, such as rereading notes or textbooks without real understanding or processing.
Not using active recall techniques like practice tests or flashcards.
Excessive phone use, social media distractions, or studying in noisy environments, leading to poor concentration.
Spending too much time reviewing lectures and running out of time before focusing on exam-relevant material.
Studying only theoretically without solving questions or practicing problem-solving.
Focusing on one or two subjects and neglecting the rest under the assumption they were studied before.
Memorizing specific subjects the night before the exam without prioritizing properly.
These mistakes can seriously affect academic performance—but the good news is that they are avoidable.
A Practical Strategy to Study Effectively During Exams
Nesreen emphasizes that effective studying requires strategic planning and proper time management. It doesn’t demand extreme effort—just smart planning and commitment.
Start Early
Begin preparing as soon as you know your exam dates. Allocate two to three weeks in your schedule and ensure enough time for in-depth study of each subject.
Write Down All Tasks
List all essential tasks—academic and personal—during the exam period. Planning them in advance prevents distractions and mental overload.
Understand the Exam Content
Review past exams, ask senior students, and clarify whether the exam is cumulative. Professors often provide hints about what will be emphasized—write these down and use them wisely.
Attend Lectures and Review Sessions
Attend all remaining lectures and prioritize review sessions, as they focus more on exam questions and common weaknesses. You’ll benefit from professors’ hints, classmates’ questions, and detailed solutions.
Study in Short Sessions
Divide your study time into short sessions of no more than one hour. This helps maintain focus and prevents burnout.
Be Realistic and Smart
Don’t overload yourself. Study during the times of day when you’re most alert, and avoid scheduling tasks when you know you’ll be exhausted.
Prioritize and Practice
Organize tasks by priority. After reviewing notes, focus mainly on practice—solve as many questions as possible instead of relying on memorization alone.
Review Older Material
Topics studied earlier in the year may be forgotten. Schedule time to revisit them—studying once is never enough.
Practice Past Exams
Reviewing previous exam papers should be a top priority. Allocate time to solve them, review answers, and ask questions.
Ask for Help When Needed
If you don’t understand a topic or can’t solve a question, don’t ignore it. Ask professors, classmates, or research efficiently—but avoid wasting too much time.
Take Meaningful Breaks
Schedule breaks that are shorter than your study sessions. Use them to truly rest—not to escape studying.
Avoid Multitasking
Set a fixed time for each task and commit to it. Focus on one task at a time and evaluate your progress daily.
Take Care of Your Health
Exercise regularly and eat balanced meals. Physical activity boosts academic performance, while poor nutrition leads to fatigue and low concentration.
Limit Screen Time
Avoid blue screens and social media as much as possible. If studying on a computer, stay disciplined and focused.
Sleep Well
Stop studying early enough to get sufficient sleep. Fatigue reduces productivity and focus—especially the night before exams.
Final Advice
Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed through early planning, conscious decisions, and smart time management. Studying effectively is not about working longer hours—it’s about working wisely.
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